Posts tagged “Bobby Friction (UK)”

Imagine X-Factor or Pop Idol,but where all the contestants are children who have grown up foraging and slogging in some of the poorest areas in the world. However, at Manav Sadhna (NGO at an ashrams adhering to the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, Ahmedabad Gujarat) instead of picking rags, they’re picking out RAGAs and instead of scouring for their next meal on the streets; they scour their imaginations for the perfect lyrics.

Our main goal in the end, was just to demonstrate what these kids can do if they have an opportunity.

You may think this is a Slumdog remake, but this is for real and its strength has been captured on Global Lingo (Project Ahimsa), bringing together the talents of these youngsters nurtured by Project Ahimsa. Global Lingo is a pioneering benefit project like no other. The album unites disadvantaged children to join forces with artists and activists to create an album that speaks the universal language of music.

Music can heal and connect communities. We all just need to understand one another. Global Lingo proves it can happen through music.

To turn diverse sounds into a single sonic experience, Chattha turned to Project Ahimsa’s friends, DJs and electronic music gurus like DK Bollygirl and dimmSummer, to bring the tracks together into one DJ set that flows from funky Afrobeat (Rocky Dawuni’s “Africa for Learn”) to Punjabi reggae (Funkadesi’s “Dolare”).

This is a musical celebration of diversity, delivering funky rhythms of reggae, bhangra, hip hop and electronica in a truly global compilation album.

This is a product of how Music can make a difference.

Recently a few of my friends came together to form a unique retail space called Sahai. Based in Central London, Sahaiseeks to connect communities and support livelihoods through beautifully hand-crafted products from across the world.

Sahaistocks handmade paper products from a Manav Sadhna. Through the Manav Sadhna Earn & Learnprogramme, children gain an outlet for their creativity, a warm meal and access to a basic education. Without this whtye would otherwise be forced due to their personal circumstances into street labour – polishing shoes, picking rags, selling water pouches etc.

This beautiful project seeks to communicate the lives of these children and build a relationship far beyond the products. The voice of the children rings loud at the Sahaishop each time we hear their voices on the ‘Let them sing’ CD produced with the help of the Ahmisa Project.